Savory Siestas

Savory Siestas

Barren Breeze B&B offers a taste of luxury

BY JEN CALHOUN

If you’d told Greg and Amy Hiser a few years ago that they’d be running Barren Breeze Bed & Breakfast today, they’d have laughed in your face. “I’d say, ‘What?’” Greg Hiser says with a laugh.

The dream came about gradually for the Hisers, who bought the 9,000-square-foot Lucas retreat in March 2018. Before that, they lived in the little town of St. Anne, Illinois, about 80 miles south of Chicago. Greg Hiser owned a construction company, and his wife worked in corporate human resources.

“We had always preferred staying in bed-and-breakfasts over regular hotels when we traveled,” he says. “But we didn’t think about owning our own until later, when we became empty nesters a few years back. My body was getting pretty worn out from running my construction company, and it just sort of gradually became a dream of ours to run a B&B.”

RIVER OASIS

When they found Barren Breeze — formerly known as The Narrow Way Bed and Breakfast — the Hisers knew they’d found their dream location. Situated on 13 acres near The Narrows on Barren River Lake, Barren Breeze is just seven minutes from Barren River Lake State Resort Park and two minutes from The Narrows’ boat ramp and marina. Many guests at Barren Breeze stop by between explorations of Nashville — 80 miles south of

Lucas — and Louisville, which is two hours away. Nearby attractions include the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and Mammoth Cave. “We’ve had guests from different places in Europe,” Greg Hiser says. “One couple from Germany knew people in the area, but another couple from Europe flew in to the East Coast and just started driving west. They were going to a wedding in St. Louis and found us on the way.”

The retreat offers a total of 10 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, including several en-suite rooms with four-poster beds and luxury accommodations. It also contains a separate suite called the Fisherman’s Quarters in the basement, which includes four beds and two bathrooms, a kitchen and an outdoor grill. Available rentals include a pontoon boat and kayaks. A separate wedding venue and gazebo are located on the property, as well.

“There are people who rent the whole house for a wedding party or family reunions,” Hiser says. “We also see a lot of couples looking for a romantic retreat, and of course, we have people coming for fishing tournaments.”

Others hold special luncheons or dinner events for Christmas get-togethers or club conventions. Last year, the Hisers prepared lunch for a couple of dozen Corvette enthusiasts who were visiting the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green.

Customers make most of the bookings online, Greg Hiser says. “The internet is our No. 1,” he says. “If we were to lose the internet, we’d be in big, big trouble because bed-and-breakfasts are usually out in a rural area, not on an interstate or a highway. People don’t just come across us while they’re driving.”

Greg Hiser put his background in construction to work at the Barren Breeze, completing a space for weddings and events earlier this year.

Weekend guests enjoy wine and cheese on Barren Breeze’s wraparound porch in the early evenings.

The B&B offers high-quality accommodations in a clean and comfortable atmosphere.

ALL THE RIGHT TOUCHES

The Hisers say they enjoy serving others, taking care of them and finding new ways to delight and surprise their guests. “We do everything ourselves for the most part,” Greg Hiser says. “We love doing it.”

Some of the biggest draws for guests include the gourmet breakfasts and the B&B’s famous cinnamon rolls. “This place has always had its signature cinnamon rolls, and there are a lot of guests who rave about them,” he says. “But we really kicked it up a notch on the gourmet side of things. We serve berries and cream French toast and lemon ricotta pancakes. A new big hit that was unexpected is the Dutch Baby Pancakes, which are very light pancakes with fruit in them. We bake them in the oven in a small cast-iron pan. They’ve been a big hit.”

While the Hisers don’t have a formal background in cooking or innkeeping, they honed their skills over many years. “We just do it because we enjoy it,” Greg Hiser says. “By enjoying it, you do it a lot. Practice makes perfect, you know.”

In the early evenings, the couple invites guests for a wine hour, when they can roam the inn’s wraparound porch with a complimentary glass of wine served with cheese and crackers. “It’s just the small touches that mean so much to people,” he says.

Bliss on the Barren

Barren Breeze Bed & Breakfast is at 554 S. Lucas Road in Lucas. It features six upstairs rooms and a downstairs suite with four beds and two bathrooms. Gourmet breakfasts are included in the price of the room. Lunches and dinners can be accommodated but cost extra. Visitors can also book the dining room for special events and parties. You can reach the B&B by emailing management@barrenbreeze.com or calling 270-646-2957. To find out more or to book a stay, visit the website at barrenbreeze.com. You can also check out its Facebook and Instagram pages.